Food and Nutrition Overview

Food and Nutrition

• Food is any solid or liquid substance providing body with materials for growth, repair, and normal function.
• Body is like a machine; poor maintenance (e.g., unbalanced diet) leads to problems.
• Understanding food's effects and using this knowledge wisely helps maintain health and fitness.

What is Nutrition?

• Food is made of chemical elements forming molecules (nutrients).
• Nutrients are used for energy, growth, repair, and maintenance.
• Nutrients give food its flavour, colour, texture, and how it reacts with heat or digestion.
• Nutrients are essential for body function and health; deficiency affects health.
• Nutrition is the study of nutrients, food, and living things.
• Most foods contain multiple nutrients, while some contain only one, limiting their use.
• A varied diet supplies the body's required nutrients.

Nutrition Terms

• Diet: Everyday food intake; can be specific, like a slimming or low-fat diet.
• Malnutrition: Incorrect or unbalanced nutrient intake.
• Under-nutrition: Insufficient total nutrient intake.
• Balanced diet: Provides correct nutrients for individual needs.

Metabolism

• The human body is a complex structure of millions of cells forming systems with tissues and organs (each with special functions).
• Chemical reactions continuously occur enabling body functions, growth, and replacement.